Business owners along Kiambu Road and Kilimani in Nairobi have raised concerns over ongoing harassment and extortion by a senior Nairobi County official, Mr. Boniface Nyamu.
These complaints have surfaced after Mr. Nyamu was allegedly transferred from the matatu sector, where he had previously been accused of misconduct and extorting money from Matatu SACCOs that resisted his demands.
According to affected bar and nightclub owners, Mr. Nyamu has now shifted his focus towards their businesses, allegedly using his position to solicit bribes in exchange for uninterrupted business operations.
What began as isolated incidents has grown into a widespread issue that has left many owners feeling frustrated and intimidated.
Business disruptions have become a common occurrence since Nyamu’s transfer, with bar and nightclub owners now claiming they are forced to pay mandatory bribes to continue operating without interference.
Owners in the affected areas have reported that Mr. Nyamu regularly visits their establishments under the guise of enforcing county regulations but uses the opportunity to extort them.
According to members of various business associations and WhatsApp groups in the city, complaints against Mr. Nyamu’s unethical conduct are overwhelming.
In these groups, business owners share their stories of harassment and the growing sense of impunity displayed by the county official.
They allege that Nyamu openly boasts about being untouchable, leaving many to question how he is able to continue his actions without repercussion.
Close sources within Nairobi City County claim that Deputy Governor Muchiri Njoroge is providing cover for Mr. Nyamu.
It is believed that the deputy governor may be benefitting from the extortion schemes, leading to an apparent lack of accountability for Mr. Nyamu’s actions.
This perceived protection has only emboldened Nyamu, as his intimidation tactics against business owners seem to be escalating without fear of consequences.
Bar and nightclub owners are considering petitioning Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for immediate action.
Governor Sakaja, who campaigned on a platform promising order, dignity, and opportunity for all, has yet to address these allegations publicly.
The business owners argue that Nyamu’s actions undermine the governor’s promises and are a direct threat to their businesses and livelihoods.
Several business owners have expressed regret over Nyamu’s transfer from the matatu sector, noting that his greed and misconduct have now made bar owners his primary targets for illicit income.
The affected business owners are appealing for urgent investigations by relevant authorities, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
They believe that only external oversight will expose the corruption and hold those responsible accountable.
“The harassment and extortion from Mr. Nyamu need to be brought to light,” said one bar owner, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We are calling on Governor Sakaja and Deputy Governor Muchiri Njoroge to address this issue immediately before more businesses are forced to close down due to these illegal demands.”
The owners also called on social media influencers and prominent voices, to expose the ongoing exploitation.
They hope that by drawing public attention to the issue, the city leadership will be forced to intervene and take corrective action.
The accusations against Mr. Boniface Nyamu reflect a broader issue of corruption and extortion that has plagued Nairobi’s business environment for years.
While this recent wave of allegations targets the nightlife industry, it also raises concerns about the lack of accountability within the county’s leadership.
The need for a swift investigation and resolution becomes increasingly critical to restoring order and fairness in the city’s regulatory practices.
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